In its fifth year, the fund, which is jointly managed and administered by the commission and Agriculture, Countryside and Land Management Services, helps support environmental initiatives that further the goals and objectives of the Strategy for Nature, and help to address the drivers of change described in the State of Nature 2024 report, including pollution, climate change and invasive non-native species, among others.
Fourteen local environmental projects and four students benefitted from the funding last year.
Projects included monitoring marine mammals, beach cleans, the restoration of dune grassland, enhancement of school grounds for nature, and researching plant-pollinator networks.
A total of £40,000 is donated through the fund in the form of grants, with £9,000 of that total dedicated specifically to a bursary for students completing graduate or post-graduate degrees in a relevant subject, with a commitment to carry out data collection for their research project in the island. Senior natural environment officer Julia Henney said the fund had gone from strength to strength since its launch in 2021, with more applications received year-on-year.
'The fund has been able to support a wide range of projects which have helped to address some of the drivers of biodiversity loss and support local species and habitats. We are excited to see what projects we might be able to support this year.'
'We are looking forward to seeing the variety of applications from individuals, organisations and students and we read each application with great interest,' said Angela Salmon, head of operations and education at the Nature Commission.
She said it was possible this year for businesses to boost the Strategy for Nature Fund through the commission's Nature Opportunities for Business initiative.
'Making a contribution to this fund will enable support to be provided to even more local environmental projects.'
The deadline for all applications is Sunday 26 October.
More information about the fund, application forms and how to apply is available here.